Gertie Davis is best known for being the adopted daughter of Nelson Davis, a war veteran, and Harriet Tubman, an American abolitionist and political activist. After getting married on March 18, 1869, her parents adopted her in 1874.
During and after the American Civil War, Gertie Davis mother, Harriet Tubman, was renowned for being a fierce freedom fighter and humanitarian.
She supported women’s voting rights as well. She delivered the opening keynote address at the inaugural gathering of the National Federation of Afro-American Women.
One of the most celebrated citizens in American history, Harriet Tubman served as an inspiration to many generations of African Americans who fought for equality and civil rights.
More Information Regarding Gertie Davis and Her Parents
Harriet Tubman and Nelson Davis only had one child, Gertie Davis.
When her mother was still a slave, she got married to a black free man John Tubman. She changed her name from Araminta Ross to Harriet Tubman after getting married.
After changing her name, Tubman started attempting to flee slavery. After so many years of emancipation and assisting other slaves,
Tubman fell in love with Nelson Charles Davis, who was 22 years younger than her, after the American Civil War. On March 18, 1869, they exchanged vows at the Central Presbyterian Church.
Gertie was the name given to the child the couple adopted. Before Nelson’s death from tuberculosis on October 14, 1888, it appears that Gertie was the couple’s lone child.
The Mother of Gertie Davis Experienced Excruciating Pain and Illness As a Result of Being Mistreated While a Slave.
Harriet Tubman experienced physical abuse from her slave owners at a very young age. In many homes that owned slaves, this behavior was very typical. At a young age, Tubman was hurt by her owner. Her owner was attempting to prevent another slave from escaping at the time.
She received severe injuries but no medical attention. The injury left her brain and skull permanently damaged, and she never fully recovered.
She continued to experience sporadic seizures, which are thought to be epileptic conditions.
According to historians, Tubman has a Daughter.
Harriet Tubman’s relationship with a girl she referred to as her niece has been called into question by historians. In 1859, she traveled to Auburn, New York, where she was later observed with Margret, a young child.
Numerous people thought the girl resembled Tubman, and historians tend to agree that the two women had a close bond that was more akin to that of a mother and daughter.
Pneumonia claimed Gertie Davis’s Mother’s Life.
According to legend, Harriet Tubman passed away close to poverty after a lifetime of generosity and charity. It was even claimed that she had trouble paying off her debts, forcing her supporters to raise money for her.
She continued to donate money and a portion of her land in New York for the construction of a home for the elderly despite her predicament at the time. Only impoverished Black people could enter, and it was known as Harriet Tubman’s home for the elderly.
In 1911, she became ill and was brought to the residence she helped build. Pneumonia that caused her death occurred on March 10, 1913.
Celebrations And Honors for Harriet Tubman
The mother of Gertie Davis made numerous contributions to the study of African American history. She was an American icon who was praised by many world leaders in addition to her work to advance the cause of women’s suffrage.
In April 2016, US Treasury Secretary Jack Lew announced plans to add a portrait of Tubman to the front of the $20 bill. However, U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin stated that they had more pressing matters to attend to in 2017 and declined to consider it.
Many people are hoping that the Treasury Department’s effort to reintroduce Tubman’s portrait on the $20 bill in 2021 will be successful.
Many works of art have been inspired by her life and the story of slavery. Quite a few American cities have her sculptures on display.
The National Women’s Hall of Fame, the Maryland Women’s Hall of Fame, the Military Intelligence Hall of Fame, and the National Women’s Hall of Fame all recognized Harriet Tubman posthumously.
How Did Gertie Davis fare?
Only a few times in Harriet Tubman’s entire career was her daughter Gertis Davis mentioned. What happened to the daughter after she was adopted into the family was not disclosed by the war veteran. Nothing more was said about her.
Additionally, since there is no evidence that she has children elsewhere, she might have been the only child.